Autopsy shows 27-inch iMac is positively austere on the inside

More internal space means a bigger hard disk drive.

The first shipments of Apple's new 27-inch iMacs have begun arriving at the doorsteps of early-bird buyers, and MacRumors forum user R.OG has posted one of the Web's first teardowns of the flagship desktop. The internals follow the same general layout as the 21.5-inch iMac, which we commented on last month, but there are a few notable differences.

The most obvious is that the 27-inch iMac has room for a full 3.5-inch desktop hard disk drive. The one pictured is an OEM version of the Western Digital WD10EALX, a 7200 RPM Blue drive. The 21.5-inch iMac, by contrast, uses a 2.5-inch HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HDD, spinning at 5400 RPM.

The images posted by R.OG reveal that like the 21.5-inch iMac, the 27-inch iMac's GPU shares space with the CPU on the logic board. The CPU and GPU heat sink support braces are clearly visible on the back of the logic board. Previous iMacs used an MXM daughterboard for their video cards, coupled with an extensive heat pipe and heat sink assembly to channel heat away from it.

The Kepler-based Nvidia GPUs on the new generation of iMacs are more miserly with their thermal envelope, and Apple has engineered a way to cool the entire system with a single fan, even when the iMac is configured with the top build-to-order CPU and GPU options (an Ivy Bridge i7-3770 and a GeForce GTX 680MX, respectively).

The speakers are larger than on the 21.5-inch iMac, owing to there being more space inside, and the power supply daughterboard below the HDD is larger than in the 21.5-inch iMac. As with its smaller sibling, the 27-inch iMac has wireless antennae scattered around the edge of the enclosure, and it's secured together with sticky foam. One of the challenges for would-be DIY enthusiasts is getting through the foam to get to the iMac's internals; a guitar pick apparently works well as a foam cutter. However, even more of a challenge than that is how to get the iMac back together after you're done fiddling with its guts.

Interestingly, Mac reseller and parts shop Other World Computing has begun selling a RAM upgrade kit for 21.5-inch iMacs which includes a package of sticky foam for resealing iMacs. The 27-inch iMac doesn't need a RAM upgrade kit—its RAM is user-accessible through a port on the rear—but we speculate a similar "Open & Close Your iMac" parts kit will be available soon.

We're expecting to receive our 27-inch iMac early next week. Andrew Cunningham has already reviewed the 21.5-inch model, but we'll have a comparative review of the 27-inch version up shortly after UPS drops it off.

111 Reader Comments

Since you're reposting my link, you need to also consider my point. Apple ships a better GPU and screen, too.

So in the end which is it the end user is paying the premium for? Your complaining about the disk is laughable as they offer an upgrade (in Fusion) that dramatically improves performance much more than simply using the Black (as you ask them to do).

Whereas the screen resolution, GPU, color calibration, and even screen quality is better than the competitors (the other link I provided).

So really, you seem to be arguing something pointless and moot given how the system's real performance is much more impacted by the GPU, CPU, screen resolution, and screen quality than the difference between the blue and black drives; if HDD performance is critical then adding the flash drive does 1000 times more than simply using the black drive.

Simple: you're comparing it to other computers. I'm assessing it as a value proposition by itself. And lets be clear here, these aren't gaming computers, the GPUs of the other all in ones in that shootout are perfectly acceptable for desktop work.

And lets be clear here, these aren't workstations, the WD blue in the iMac is perfectly acceptable for desktop work.

I'll say it bluntly: There is nothing wrong with the WD blue if you're assessing it as a value proposition by itself you also need to consider temperature, noise, and vibration.

Seriously - what is a "gaming computer" if the 27" iMacs with a GPU upgrade aren't? I know it's not a desktop part, but it's not far off and most gamers don't sit on the bleeding edge of GPU technology. They get a good card at a good price, and use it for a year or so. The iMac is a gaming computer, if you want to play games.

I don't think the iMac (or any other all-in-one) ever qualifies as a gaming computer. The 680mx will allow it to play current generation games to a decent standard, but it will still be a general purpose, family computer at heart.

Okay, I'm going to need you to define what a "gaming computer" actually is.

This thing has more GPU power than any current console. Are they not gaming machines?

What exactly divides a general purpose computer from a gaming computer?

The one thing that I see that might make this less of a gaming computer is that you can't easily take it to a LAN party. If people still have those. The iMac is specced high enough in every other respect.

Okay, I'm going to need you to define what a "gaming computer" actually is.

This thing has more GPU power than any current console. Are they not gaming machines?

What exactly divides a general purpose computer from a gaming computer?

The one thing that I see that might make this less of a gaming computer is that you can't easily take it to a LAN party. If people still have those. The iMac is specced high enough in every other respect.

I think most gamers look at upgradability as an important aspect of any gaming PC. I'm hoping the 680mx will perform well on new releases for a while (I ordered the upgrade on my 27"), but the gamers that I know want the latest and greatest and will upgrade their graphics cards on an almost yearly basis. You just can't do that with an iMac. Ultimately it's a great computer now, but I don't think gamers will be happy with the GPU this time next year. For me? I'm just hoping Warcraft runs well in native resolution...

I have never understood all-in-ones. They seem to be made for people that want a computer as a decorative piece, not as something they actually use for any length of time. If I got a mac desktop it would be a mac mini, and then I could get whatever monitor I please, and have it placed the height and tilt I want. Not some non-ergonomic configuration like the imacs force you into.

Yes, some people do want a decoration, especially offices. I have a few other reasons to want them:

1) Computer labs require less cabling and thus less mess with zip ties to keep cables off the floor and OSHA compliant. Moving an AIO off a desk is easy, moving a 2 piece system not so much. Also, micro-towers and SFF PCs usually lack the configuration and options or performance many AIOs have, meaning even though they can't be upgraded easily (other than disk and RAM), I usually have more options to choose from at the mid and high end than Dell offers in micro-desktops.

2) Kitchens. I am not putting a tower on my kitchen counter, and I'm not cutting holes in the marble and saccrifice cabinet space (let alone deal with cooling issues) to put the tower underneath. Same goes for a small side-table in many rooms where under-desk space is extremely limited or prevents a chair from being pushed in all the way if a tower is under there. An AIO form factor is simply superior in many household locations.

3) noise. most AIOs are quiter in operation, and can be more pleasant to have in a living room.

4) Power draw. Apple's 27" iMac is more powerful than many common Dell towers + screen in similar price ranges, and the entire thing, display and all, with all wireless radios on, uses half the power of similar mini-tower + monitor setups. That can amount to over $150 a year difference in cost even used just 10 hours a day.

5) Trade-in value. believe it or not, AIOs, especially Macs, trade in or resel for more of their original value than a PC+monitor will. Often after several generations, doing so makes the total cost of owning AIOs vs standard PCs cheaper.

Agree with the ease of placing AIOs in the home and other places where cabling is an issue.It is possible to get low noise computers (and not just the Mac mini form factor)Low noise PCs are typically low power too.Agree with the trade in value.

Counterpoint, an upgradable computer should need replacing less frequently than an AIO and the display connected to that computer should last a typical user 10 years. Problems with one piece rarely affect the other so down time can be minimized. Continuing to use equipment for a long period of time is much greener than the current emphasis on recycling.

Granted, but let us not pretend that sticky foam was magically introduced to the world this fall, or somehow the application of it was never put into an electronic device before this latest roll out of Apple goods. The cost saving measure could have been put in years prior, but it wasn't. I won't put forth supposition on why this is, because I'm sure many reasons exist that go well beyond my capacity to understand, but that they could have prior and purposefully didn't is a point that sticks out quite clearly for me.

Not only is the Dell a very nice machine, but they give you all the info you need to work on it yourself. I went in to add a 128GB SSD in the mSata slot (pg. 71) and found it easy to work on exactly as the manual describes. And their tech support verified I could add my own SSD without voiding the warranty.

The "kneeling" stand mechanism where it converts to an easel arrangement for drawing is cool. I'm not much of an artist, but it makes technical drawing comfortable.

Ars, when you review the iMac 27, this Dell would make a good comparison.

4) Power draw. Apple's 27" iMac is more powerful than many common Dell towers + screen in similar price ranges, and the entire thing, display and all, with all wireless radios on, uses half the power of similar mini-tower + monitor setups. That can amount to over $150 a year difference in cost even used just 10 hours a day.

Wow, that is some mini-tower you run. $150 is about 1500 kW hours at average rate, implying a difference of 400W for the 3,650 hours you propose to run the machine. Your tower should do well as a kotatsu.

I'd be surprised to see as much as 50W difference between the two in active use, and closer to zero when idle, if the two machines are configured with similar processors, memory, and disk. A tower is not inherently inefficient. Your most likely differences are whether the two power supplies (one in monitor and one in tower) are less efficient than having just one PSU in the AIO.

To put it in perspective, an industrial server with 32GB, dual sockets of Xeon, and 4 x 7200 HDD, plus networking, will come in comfortably under 200W when it is fully active. The typical home tower, including a gamer graphics card idling on non-game workloads, will average about the same. Although a high end graphic card might peak around 200W all by itself, that is cheating because it is not the same spec as the AIO.

I'm not an Apple fan by any stretch of the word...not really a hater either; they just don't make a product that fits what I want. With that said, I think the bashing of the non-upgradeable aspect of the iMac is a bit unwarranted. They're not marketing this product to me (or many of the people who frequent ARS). They're marketing it to the majority of the computer users who just want to plug it in and go. You know, those people who call people like us when they have a problem with their computer. The vast majority of the people in this world couldn't care less if they can get at the guts of their computer to upgrade the video card.

There are also many of "us" who know plenty about computers, and who used to build their own computers, and who are still interested in technology and sites like this but no longer have any interest digging inside computers. I'm one of those people.

The older I get the less hassles I wish to deal with and the more time I wish to spend doing the things that really matter. Apple, like no other technology company, is the best at allowing me to do that when it comes to technology.

There are also many of "us" who know plenty about computers, and who used to build their own computers, and who are still interested in technology and sites like this but no longer have any interest digging inside computers. I'm one of those people.

The older I get the less hassles I wish to deal with and the more time I wish to spend doing the things that really matter. Apple, like no other technology company, is the best at allowing me to do that when it comes to technology.

Yeah, who in their right mind would ever want say...a user serviceable battery? How crazy are those people?! You drone.

Will seriously be planning on replacing that 3.5" disk with the 480 GB SSD I already own, which would otherwise go seriously to waste. I will watch OWC and other sites to see if Apple has shafted us by requiring "custom firmware" that only they can provide.

I don't think the word "shafted" applies here. The reason Apple's factory drives have special firmware is so that internal temperature of the drive can be sampled enabling the iMac to vary fan speeds accordingly. That's why the fans will go crazy trying cool the iMac if a "foreign" drive isn't providing that info. I can appreciate that engineers at Apple came with this feature as a way to protect YOUR iMac from meltdown.

There are also many of "us" who know plenty about computers, and who used to build their own computers, and who are still interested in technology and sites like this but no longer have any interest digging inside computers. I'm one of those people.

The older I get the less hassles I wish to deal with and the more time I wish to spend doing the things that really matter. Apple, like no other technology company, is the best at allowing me to do that when it comes to technology.

Yeah, who in their right mind would ever want say...a user serviceable battery? How crazy are those people?! You drone.

We prefer having 25% more battery life on a single charge than carry a spare battery to swap out. Why not respect the fact that we have different priorities?

Yeah, who in their right mind would ever want say...a user serviceable battery? How crazy are those people?! You drone.

I find your concept of a "user-serviceable battery" to be rather amusing, since lithium-ion batteries tend to chemically break down when opened. When lithium-ion batteries go bad, the best you can do is to throw out the old one and buy and install a new one. I assume you meant to write "user-replaceable battery," which is not quite the same thing, particularly from ecological point of view. A user-serviceable battery would be excellent indeed, because batteries are rather taxing to the environment; but user-replaceable? Not really.

There are also many of "us" who know plenty about computers, and who used to build their own computers, and who are still interested in technology and sites like this but no longer have any interest digging inside computers. I'm one of those people.

The older I get the less hassles I wish to deal with and the more time I wish to spend doing the things that really matter. Apple, like no other technology company, is the best at allowing me to do that when it comes to technology.

Yeah, who in their right mind would ever want say...a user serviceable battery? How crazy are those people?! You drone.

In an iMac?

You could've gone with a better example (replaceable GPUs, replaceable HDDs), but in your rush to post something snarky, you managed to confuse desktop machines with laptops. Well done Q1DM6, you're posting without engaging your brain. You're trolling it up with the best of them now.

"3) noise. most AIOs are quiter in operation, and can be more pleasant to have in a living room"

87% of statstics are made up on the spot eh? Tower computers feature interchangeable parts - thus they can be made dead silent or noisy depending on the design and components used.

In general they can achieve much quieter operational at equivalent heat levels because they can use large slow moving fans instead of small buzzing ones - as well as large effective heatsinks. They can use things like large amount of rubber to quiet hard drive vibration (if you don't use a SSD).

In general [towers] can achieve much quieter operational at equivalent heat levels because they can use large slow moving fans instead of small buzzing ones - as well as large effective heatsinks.

While I accept your general point that tower systems can be whatever you want them to be, your comment makes me wonder if you actually read the article (or looked at the photo above):

Quote:

Apple has engineered a way to cool the entire system with a single fan, even when the iMac is configured with the top build-to-order CPU and GPU options

I think the original poster was generalising about the majority of tower PCs that are sold. It's often said that "better" systems can be bought cheaper, but the quietness you speak of will only be achieved in a tower with the purchase of premium parts (case, psu, cooling etc). Low noise and low heat will only be achieved through compromising performance and form-factor or laying out more cash - this is true of any system and the iMac represents the right solution for some people (myself included).

No one is saying that the 1TB Black wouldn't have performed better, but I'm questioning whether the performance difference between the two drives merits your initial response. And whether any of this is worth getting upset about.

At least they aren't cheating the consumer as badly as they are with the 21inch imac, with it's 5400rpm drive. What a shame.

Oh, you're just trolling. This article is about the differences between the two models and the additional space in the 27" is abundantly clear. The reasons for the 5400rpm mobile drive are obvious in the 21" - space, heat, reliability. No-one's getting cheated. Everyone who buys one will know what they're getting or frankly not care. I wouldn't buy the 21" myself, but that's about my personal use case.I won't continue the discussion, because you're not really interested in the subject of the article.

Someone spending $1,299 to $1,499 for a desktop computer is being cheated with a slow 5,400 RPM laptop drive. His comment isn't on topic, if that is why you want to call him a troll, but he does have a point. Even the reviews have confirmed that the 2.5" slow laptop drive compromises performance compared to the 2011 model. Apple's website, only in the specifications when you select a model, does advertise 5,400 RPM. Assuming the buyer is paying attention to the specs to realize that Apple changed the drive. I haven't seen the information advertised at an Apple Store yet. Some might assume the computer still has a 7,200 RPM 3.5" drive. If you want to say the reason is for space and heat, Apple could have done the same with the 27" model since they are so intrigued with thinness these days. Or, they could have made the 21.5" model a little more thicker in the back to support the 3.5" drive. I would not recommend the 21.5" model to anyone because of the slow drive performance compared to the 27".

"3) noise. most AIOs are quiter in operation, and can be more pleasant to have in a living room"

87% of statstics are made up on the spot eh? Tower computers feature interchangeable parts - thus they can be made dead silent or noisy depending on the design and components used.

In general they can achieve much quieter operational at equivalent heat levels because they can use large slow moving fans instead of small buzzing ones - as well as large effective heatsinks. They can use things like large amount of rubber to quiet hard drive vibration (if you don't use a SSD).

You never read the article and you have never used a Mac. PC towers, and even Mac towers, are considerably louder than an iMac. PCs have no power management or fan control, they just constantly hum, some as loud as a hair dryer. If your PC case requires a large amount of rubber to silence a hard drive, then that is a pretty lousy case. Low noise at idle...now that is funny. How loud does it get when you actually use the computer, since most people buy them to use them, not turn them on and stare at them at idle.

Agree with Ostracus. Whether you're running Linux or Windows XP/7/8, power management and fan control on the PC side of the house has been an available feature for dog's years. Building or buying a quiet PC, even one that doesn't make much noise under heavy load, is easy. And the iMac under load spins up and sounds pretty hair dryer-like itself, frankly.

Quote:

If your PC case requires a large amount of rubber to silence a hard drive, then that is a pretty lousy case.

The hard drive in a 21.5" iMac sits in a rubber housing to reduce vibration and noise. The 27" uses a plastic bracket to isolate the drive. The "case" has very little to do with how much or how little the HDD vibrates--that's primarily a function of the HDD, and PCs and Macs use the same OEMs for hard drives.

No one is saying that the 1TB Black wouldn't have performed better, but I'm questioning whether the performance difference between the two drives merits your initial response. And whether any of this is worth getting upset about.

At least they aren't cheating the consumer as badly as they are with the 21inch imac, with it's 5400rpm drive. What a shame.

Oh, you're just trolling. This article is about the differences between the two models and the additional space in the 27" is abundantly clear. The reasons for the 5400rpm mobile drive are obvious in the 21" - space, heat, reliability. No-one's getting cheated. Everyone who buys one will know what they're getting or frankly not care. I wouldn't buy the 21" myself, but that's about my personal use case.I won't continue the discussion, because you're not really interested in the subject of the article.

Someone spending $1,299 to $1,499 for a desktop computer is being cheated with a slow 5,400 RPM laptop drive. His comment isn't on topic, if that is why you want to call him a troll, but he does have a point. Even the reviews have confirmed that the 2.5" slow laptop drive compromises performance compared to the 2011 model. Apple's website, only in the specifications when you select a model, does advertise 5,400 RPM. Assuming the buyer is paying attention to the specs to realize that Apple changed the drive. I haven't seen the information advertised at an Apple Store yet. Some might assume the computer still has a 7,200 RPM 3.5" drive. If you want to say the reason is for space and heat, Apple could have done the same with the 27" model since they are so intrigued with thinness these days. Or, they could have made the 21.5" model a little more thicker in the back to support the 3.5" drive. I would not recommend the 21.5" model to anyone because of the slow drive performance compared to the 27".

Sorry, but I don't buy the picture you're painting. The "cheated" Apple customer, who cared enough to look up the specs of the last generation iMac to discover that it had a 7200rpm drive, but didn't care enough to look up the specs of this generation iMac and ended up with a 5400rpm drive? I just don't see that happening.

And if you are really struggling with the concept that Apple could build a 3.5" inch drive into the 27" iMac, but couldn't for the 21" iMac, I suggest that you look at the teardown pictures of both again. After all, that's what this article is about.

Design decisions are based on compromise. Don't like Apple's decisions? Don't buy its product, but if you're suggesting that no-one should buy the 21" because of performance limitations, I'd suggest you don't understand the limited performance needs of a lot of users.

I would have happily taken the power of the 27" with a 21" screen, but that isn't an option and it's clear why when you do a bit of reading. So I ended up with a 27" that seems a little OTT for my needs, but I'm sure I'll have fun getting used to it.

Could have bought a Windows box, could have bought a previous generation iMac. Could have bought another model of Mac. I made my decision based on the design of the new iMac and yes, its ridiculously streamlined appearance is a selling point; this is the family computer in the main living area of the house. You reach a certain age and you're not afraid to admit that.

Lee Hutchinson / Lee is the Senior Reviews Editor at Ars and is responsible for the product news and reviews section. He also knows stuff about enterprise storage, security, and manned space flight. Lee is based in Houston, TX.